2of2Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at a news conference on the Sandra Bland case in Waller County on Tuesday.Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

Let's be blunt. Here's the problem with governing by press release: You can try to control situations as carefully as you'd like, but the real world will catch up with you.

Here is reality in Texas so far:

- Sandra Bland's death in a southeast Texas jail has captivated the nation and the world's attention.

- The officer, Brian Encinia, broke agency protocol during his interaction with the 28-year-old black woman.

- The jail where Bland died was cited for inadequate inmate procedures that did not meet minimum state requirements, according to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

- The case has prompted a joint investigation by the Texas Rangers and the FBI, and the local district attorney is treating it as a murder case.

- A grieving family is left to bury their loved one and are committed, if Bland's mother's comments are any indication, to get answers at all costs.

In short, it is burning in Waller County.

In Austin, however, there has been conspicuous silence from the state's top leaders, particularly Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott. Finally, around 2 p.m. Wednesday, Abbott made his first public comment about the case, focusing on the Rangers' investigation.

"Our hearts and prayers remain with the Bland family for their tragic loss," Abbott said in a statement. "The family deserves answers. The Texas Rangers, working in coordination with the FBI, will conduct a full and thorough investigation that will deliver those answers and work toward the ultimate goal of ensuring justice in this case."

Until then, maybe they were too busy investigating Planned Parenthood, but Texans hadn't heard a peep about the Bland case from their chief executive. Their top law enforcement officer is still silent.

Not even news releases, the weapon of choice for Abbott and Paxton thus far in their short tenures, have mentioned it. And now, after the Texas Department of Public Safety released video of Bland's violent arrest, you have to wonder whether anyone at the top thinks there is anything at all to comment on. Does anyone think that, beyond the Bland case, there needs to be a review of Texas jail standards or state police procedures? Is that worthy of discussion, or maybe even an emergency item, in the 85th Texas Legislature?

On Tuesday, several lawmakers showed up to a round table discussion with local officials, including Capitol powerhouses like state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, and state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was also there, seated next to West, where he said that Bland's death was tragedy and pledged a transparent investigation. There was nothing beyond that, except to say that "every life matters."

When a case like this reaches its boiling point, it's normal for politicians of all stripes to commit any and all government resources to achieve an equitable, necessary dispensation of justice. There is usually talk of transparency and a call for calm. If you want to give state leaders the benefit of the doubt, then sure, maybe they and their staffs have discussed privately the Bland case and their possible responses. But for politicians who have been so quick with statements of outrage recently, their silence here is deafening.

Bobby Cervantes is an Austin-based reporter for the Houston Chronicle, where he writes about the politics, policies and personalities of Texas government. He also authors Texas Take, the state’s must-read daily tipsheet covering the latest news from the campaign trail to the Capitol.

Prior to joining the Chronicle, he covered the 2012 presidential election and technology for Politico in Washington, D.C. He has also reported for NBC News, The Texas Tribune, the San Antonio Express-News, the Amarillo Globe-News and The Daily Texan.

A native of the Rio Grande Valley, Bobby graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with degrees in government, journalism and business. He once won the coveted award for most improved swimmer at Boy Scout summer camp. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyCervantes.